Sign in
Community News, For the Kids, Fort Worth Organizations
And the Hero for Youth Award Goes To…
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) has been recognized with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Hero for Youth Award, given to Clubs that place within the top 50% of Boys & Girls Clubs nationally for advocacy engagement on behalf of youth.
The award recognizes the impact Club advocacy has on attaining public support for youth and the Boys & Girls Clubs who support them. Activities include meeting with elected officials, conducting social media outreach, offering Club tours to local leaders, and media advocacy. In 2024, BGCGTC leaders and youth participated in:
- Keystone Conference. BGCGTC’s Keystone Club provides a unique leadership development experience for teens ages 14 to 18, with opportunities to enhance their academic success while preparing for their future careers and improving their communities through service projects. The annual Keystone Conference is an event that unites thousands of teens from diverse communities worldwide. They connect and explore relevant social issues, build leadership skills, and work to improve their communities through service projects.
- Summit for America’s Youth (SAY). SAY is an annual event organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America where teens from across the country come together in Washington, D.C., to advocate for issues they care about. The summit aims to empower teens to become youth advocates, equip them with the skills to advocate for change, and provide a platform for them to voice their concerns and ideas to policymakers.
- National Days of Advocacy (NDOA). BGCA holds its National Days of Advocacy each year in Washington, D.C., where advocates meet with Congressional members to discuss issues impacting kids and teens, focusing on funding for critical programs and advocating for youth development. Nearly 300 advocates from Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, including Club leaders, executives, volunteers, and youth, attend the event.
BGCGTC’s 2025 Youth of the Year honoree Ja’Miyah G. (NOTE: BGCGTC does not use member last names), said participating in these efforts helped build her confidence as she spoke about the needs of teens in her community.
Photo courtesy of BGCGTC
“I traveled to Washington, D.C., at 16 years old, talking to senators and advocating for a Club that has done more for me than I can ask for,” Ja’Miyah said. “I was advocating for things that really matter to not only me, but the teens around me. I met teens from all over the world and for me, that experience taught me I can actually do something to affect change.”
Daphne Barlow Stigliano, BGCGTC CEO and president, said receiving the Hero for Youth Award is a reflection of how deeply her local leadership team is living the organization’s mission and innovating to solve the needs of youth in this community. Local efforts are aimed at increasing support for youth mental health, academic readiness, and life and workforce development.
“As our local population grows, so do the needs of young people in our community,” Stigliano said. “Our job is to equip youth with the experiences and tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. This award shines a light on what we can accomplish with the support of our elected officials and our community.”
Last year, BGCGTC served a record 76,400 young people, providing quality resources and services through community-based and mobile programs.
